Regarding qb play…. I think Kaepernick has to go through stages. The first stage is – “I’m just happy to be here.” I think Kaep’s still in that stage. The next stage is true competition and attention to detail. You could make the argument that Kaep’s in stage two, but I don’t think so. The third stage is boredom – I’m ready, I just need the opportunity. The fourth stage is adversity, and that adversity can swing a qb back ’round to the second stage again – attention to detail, changing patterns, waiting for another opportunity. This is the progression as I see it. JJ might prolong Kaep’s 3rd stage and make Kaep a little more serious. Right now, Kaep’s still happy go luck.

But the preseason is going to change some of that. Kaep is going to make bad throws (inevitable), and some people will start to claim Kaep isn’t the answer. He’ll hear the criticism, and have to fight through it.

Regarding JJ – talk about your opportunities. I think the 49ers win the Super Bowl if Harbaugh changes the qb and JJ can stay healthy and protect the football. Let’s be honest here. Black qbs are more athletic than white qb, so they run more and are more susceptible to injury. If Andy Reid and Mike Vick want to win a Super Bowl, Vick has to learn to throw the ball away a lot more. He has to learn to stay healthy. Then, after that, Vick has to learn to protect the football and not just throw it up in pressure situations.

Josh Johnson can do that. Harbaugh obviously knows the importance of protecting the football, and I’m sure he’s aware if his qb runs, he’ll be more likely to get injured. But if those two issues are fixed, and Harbaugh starts JJ over Smith, the 49ers win the Super Bowl.

The running game is already there. The defense and special teams are there. The skill positions on offense are there. All that’s missing is a football delivery system which is another way of saying “thrower,” which is another way of saying quarterback. And what are people saying right now? They’re saying Josh Johnson is a natural thrower.

You can’t game manage yourself into a Super Bowl trophy. It’s not going to happen.